I love living here in Earley and want to ensure that it continues to be the best place to live.

Full statement

I moved to Earley in 2004 and my wife and I have raised our family here.

I was elected in May 2023 to represent Hillside ward on Earley Town Council and I am on the planning committee and a member of Earley Neighbour Action Group (NAG).

As a professional engineer, I am very keen on encouraging young people to enjoy science and technology and consider STEM careers. Passionate about education, I volunteered as a Governor at Oakbank School until very recently. I also help in organising career events for secondary school residents in Wokingham Borough area.

I help with church community projects to collect groceries from local supermarkets to deliver food parcels to those in need. I co-ordinate a local business group to empower black business entrepreneurs to grow and run thriving small businesses, working with Reading University and British Business Bank as sponsors.

Since my election as town councillor, I have been standing up for Hillside residents, and helping to resolve local issues, such as ensuring repair of deteriorating roads and indiscriminate parking during works undertaken by utility companies that lead to traffic congestion.

As part of the Earley team, we continue the campaign to retain the weekly bin collections, as I am particularly concerned that the change to alternate weekly collections will lead to rodent infestations as confirmed by British Pest Control Association. I have raised a question in this regard at a full borough council meeting. I am pleased to be part of the team that successfully petitioned the Lib-Dem controlled council to roll back on the planned reductions in street litter bins in 2023. We continue the campaign to scrap the unprecedented increases in car park charges.

Representing you as your borough councillor would be an opportunity to be a stronger voice for Hillside residents. I look forward to continuing to care and work for the priorities that matter most to the residents.